NPR News Now – December 26, 2025, 1AM EST

Host: Dan Ronan (NPR News Anchor)
Duration: 5 minutes
Date: December 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode delivers a concise roundup of major news events from December 25–26, 2025, focusing on U.S. military action in Nigeria, counterterrorism measures in Turkey, a legal dispute between pediatricians and the U.S. health department, China-Taiwan tensions in contested waters, and the somber return of fallen Iowa National Guard members.

Key Stories and Discussion Points

1. U.S. Military Strikes Against Islamic State in Nigeria

[00:14–01:43]

• Summary: On Christmas Day, President Trump announced "powerful and deadly strikes" against ISIS forces in Nigeria, supported by video evidence from the Pentagon.

• Context: Comes after weeks of U.S. criticism toward Nigerian leadership about failing to protect Christians.

• Collaboration: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasized U.S.–Nigerian cooperation, with Nigeria confirming intelligence sharing and coordination.

• Background: Nigeria remains split between Christian and Muslim populations, with Boko Haram seeking to impose strict Islamic law and often targeting both groups.

  Notable Quote:

  • Dan Ronan [00:14]: "President Trump on Christmas Day said the US Military launched what he called a powerful and deadly strikes against the Islamic State forces in Nigeria."

2. Turkish Crackdown on Suspected ISIS Members

[01:43–02:11]

• Summary: Turkish authorities detained 115 suspected ISIS affiliates in coordinated raids linked to planned attacks over the holidays. Over 130 arrest warrants were issued.

• Analysis by Sebastian Usher (BBC):

  • Preventive mass arrests are routine and have become effective in reducing ISIS attacks compared to a decade ago.

  Notable Quote:

  • Sebastian Usher [01:47]: "If you go back about a decade in Turkey, there was a real threat from ISIS... Since then there have been attacks, but not on that scale and not with that regularity."

3. Pediatricians Sue U.S. Health Department Over Cancelled Grants

[02:11–03:10]

• Summary: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is suing the Department of Health and Human Services for abruptly pulling $12 million in grants, allegedly in retaliation for criticizing new vaccine policies by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

• Details:

  • Grants funded crucial public health programs including SIDS prevention and rural health initiatives.
  • The lawsuit contends these are being jeopardized by what AAP calls politically motivated actions.

  Notable Quote:

  • Selena Simmons Duffins [02:28]: "The organization has pushed back forcefully against the vaccine recommendations implemented by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime anti-vaccine activist."

4. Chinese Coast Guard Patrols Near Taiwan Increase

[03:10–04:17]

• Summary: Taiwan steps up monitoring of Chinese coast guard ships operating near the Kinmen Islands, a sign of growing pressure outlined in a recent Pentagon report.

• Taiwan’s Response: Dispatch of three ships, condemnation of the Chinese patrols for being "unprofessional and irrational."

• Broader Tensions:

  • The annual Pentagon report highlights China’s steady military buildup and pursuit of what it describes as a "strategic, decisive victory" over Taiwan.

  Notable Quote:

  • Emily Fang [03:42]: "Taiwan's Coast Guard dispatched three ships to monitor the Chinese group and said sailing in bad weather was, quote, unprofessional and irrational."

5. Return of Iowa National Guard Members Killed in Syria

[04:17–04:54]

• Summary: The bodies of two Iowa National Guard members killed in a December 13 Syria attack have been returned to their families during a Christmas Eve ceremony.

• Dignified Return:

  • Coffins of Edgar Brian Torres Tovar and William Nathaniel Howard, along with a U.S. civilian interpreter, processed through Dover Air Force Base.

  Notable Quote:

  • Dan Ronan [04:18]: "The bodies of two members of the Iowa National Guard... have been returned to their families...processing through a solemn transfer ritual at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware."

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On U.S.–Nigeria Military Action:
  "President Trump on Christmas Day said the US Military launched what he called a powerful and deadly strikes against the Islamic State forces in Nigeria."
  — Dan Ronan [00:14]

• On Turkish Counterterrorism:
  "They take these preventive measures regularly and often detain quite large numbers of suspects. And it's been pretty successful..."
  — Sebastian Usher [01:43]

• On Vaccine Policy Tensions:
  "AAP says the Department of Health and Human Services retaliated against their organization because of that public criticism."
  — Selena Simmons Duffins [02:28]

• On Escalating China–Taiwan Tensions:
  "China has increasingly used its Coast Guard in various Taiwan theme military exercises and patrols..."
  — Emily Fang [03:42]

• On Honoring Fallen Soldiers:
  "The American flag grape coffins carrying the service members... arrived after processing through a solemn transfer ritual at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware."
  — Dan Ronan [04:18]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Nigeria/ISIS Strikes: 00:14–01:43
• Turkey/ISIS Suspects Detained: 01:43–02:11
• AAP vs. HHS Lawsuit: 02:11–03:10
• China–Taiwan Patrols: 03:10–04:17
• Return of Iowa Guard Members: 04:17–04:54

This summary distills all the essential headlines and context from the latest NPR News Now bulletin, providing listeners with a clear, engaging account of the world's most pressing events at the end of 2025.